Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Lebby Snacks is another company I missed seeing at Expo West this year. When I first heard about their sweet chickpea snacks, I was intrigued. I think most people associate chickpeas with savory foods, such as hummus. However, after trying these dry-roasted chickpea snacks, I can say that Lebby Chickpea Snacks are a satisfying sweet and crunchy combination.
Lebby Snacks come in four flavors:
Sesame Honey
Mocha
Dark Chocolate
Milk Chocolate
For me, my favorite is a two-way tie between Mocha and Dark Chocolate. I found them addictive! The Sesame Honey reminds me of honey roasted peanuts. The Milk Chocolate would be sure to please any chocolate fan.
Lebby Chickpea Snacks start with a dry-roasting process that gives the chickpeas a delicious light and crunchy taste and texture without any oil, salt or additives. They are gluten-free, non-gmo and kosher. So far, I have only tried eating Lebby Chickpea Snacks out of hand, but I can also see trying them on top of ice cream, yogurt or as part of a trail mix or cheeseboard.
Disclosure: I received sample product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite parts about blogging is connecting with small business owners. I enjoy being able to support them, as I have always admired the entrepreneurial spirit. Today I want to introduce you to Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts, a small business based in Leavensworth, Washington.
This company specializes in premium fresh nuts that they roast in small batches. Almond Blossom offers a wide variety of flavor combinations, from sweet to savory to spicy. D and I had the opportunity to try six of the flavors, shown below:
First of all, I was really impressed with the freshness and quality of all of the nuts we tried. The small-batch roasting process really brings out the nutty flavor.
New York Style Bar Mix: Consists of cashews, pecans and almonds with a rosemary sweet/salty glaze. The variety of nuts in this mix is really nice and the fresh rosemary adds a wonderful flavor. This was D’s favorite.
Cinnamon Vanilla Almonds: Almonds are probably my favorite type of nut, if I had to choose one. This flavor combination reminds me of Christmas, and was my favorite.
Curry Coconut Cashews: I am a fan of both curry and coconut, so this interesting flavor appealed to me. Their recipe also contains lime juice and black sesame seeds, and the combination is superb!
Cinnamon Vanilla Pecans: Eating pecans seems so decadent to me, maybe because of their larger size. Pecan lovers will really enjoy these.
Maple Chipotle Almonds: Perfect sweet-spicy combination!
Thai Chili Lime Cashews: This is another unique flavor with just the right amount of heat.
Where to Purchase + Discount!
Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts can be purchased on their website here. They also offer a variety of gift options where you can mix and match different flavors in an assortment of containers and have them shipped. (Supporting a small business AND no-contact shopping, yes!) Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts would make a thoughtful gift for Father’s Day, birthdays, teacher appreciation, etc.
Use code DAD20 through 6/21 at check out for 20% off your entire order AND they ship to any U.S. address for only $4.95!
Giveaway Time
Almond Blossom Roasted Nuts has generously offered to give away one 4-compartment gift wheel of nuts to THREE different winners! Be sure to enter the giveaway below:
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Zubi’s was one of the brands featured in the latest #NewHopeBloggerBox. Zubi’s is unique because they make salsa and dips that are free from the most common allergens.
Zubi’s generously offered samples of their salsa, crema and queso for us to try.
Zubi’s Salsa
Our family loves salsa, so we were eager to try this one. I like how it contains all natural ingredients:
Hot Sauce (aged red cayenne peppers, vinegar, salt)
Jalapeno
Garlic
Kosher Salt
Cumin
This salsa had a nice, fresh and bright flavor. It definitely has a kick, but it is not too spicy. It would definitely add “zing” to whatever you add it to, such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, etc.
Zubi’s Crema
I was wondering how Zubi’s Crema could be dairy-free. Look at this clean 6-ingredient list:
*Jalapeños
*Safflower Oil
*Onion
*Lime Juice
*Garlic
Kosher Salt
*Organic Ingredients
It is amazing how creamy Zubi’s Crema is, considering there is no cream! I am still not sure how they do it. Although the main ingredient is jalapenos, it is not overly spicy.
Zubi’s Queso
Again, I was somewhat skeptical of how dairy-free queso would taste. It contains the following ingredients:
*Yellow Onion
*Sweet Pepper
*Safflower Oil
*Lime Juice
*Garlic
*Nutritional Yeast
*Jalapeño
Kosher Salt
*Cayenne
*Organic Ingredients
My son, who is a big fan of regular queso (or anything with cheese, for that matter), really liked this version. I think the onion and sweet pepper give it a sweeter taste. If anyone has had to go dairy-free and misses queso, I would recommend trying this product. We microwaved it and drizzled it on top of tortilla chips and carnitas, along with the Zubi’s crema and salsa.
Loaded nachos!
Where to Purchase
Zubi’s salsa and dips can be purchased on their website, at a store near you, and Amazon. It is shelf-stable (refrigerate after opening), which makes it easy to order online.
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
As I mentioned before, I really missed being able to attend Expo West this year. However, I am grateful to still be able to connect with some of the companies that were supposed to attend. One such company is Baja Jerky, which is a local Orange County company specializing in premium beef jerky.
Baja Jerky comes in five unique flavors:
Churro
Sweet Orange
Salsa Fresca
Lime & Serrano Pepper
Traditional
My family was immediately impressed with the thick cut of this jerky. Pictured here is the Churro flavor. Yes, Churro! You can see the cinnamon sugar, and it is sure to appeal to anyone who likes the savory-sweet combination.
If you are more of the traditional jerky fan, they have that, too!
Baja Jerky is a snack you can feel good about eating. It does not contain added nitrites, nitrates, or MSG and it is gluten-free.
Also, the beef used has no added hormones. Each serving contains 8 grams of protein.
The Salsa Fresca flavor is a definite winner! Just a hint of heat and the salsa flavor really complements the beef.
In addition to 2.5 ounce bags, Baja Jerky also comes in a Snack Pack that contains ten convenient 1 ounce size bags. They would be perfect for lunchboxes or for on-the-go snacking.
Where to Purchase
Baja Jerky can be purchased through their website and Amazon. Hopefully it will become more widely available at stores soon!
Giveaway Time
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a Snack Pack flavor of your choice (ten 1 oz. bags) AND a 2.5 oz bag of each flavor!
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
If you are looking for an palatable way to increase Omega-3s in your child’s diet, consider Brainiac Kids Applesauce. After hearing about all of the research about how Omega-3s are vital for optimal brain nutrition, our family has been trying various foods and supplements to up our Omega-3 intake.
Brainiac Kids Applesauce contains Omega-3 DHA/EPA, Omega-3 ALA, and Choline, all of which have been found to support brain health. I was a bit curious to see if the applesauce would taste “fishy”, as many Omega-3 supplements do, but it did not! There is no added sugar, but the applesauce still has a nice naturally sweet taste. I think even the pickiest eaters would approve. My whole family gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up!
Brainiac Kids Applesauce comes in a convenient pouch that is easy to pack in a school lunch or on the go snack. Of course, with everyone home, there is no need to pack school lunches right now, but applesauce is still one of the kids’ favorite at-home snacks.
Music + Books + Brainiac Kids Applesauce = Brain Power!
Brainiac Kids Applesauce comes in three flavors:
Apple
Apple Cinnamon
Apple Strawberry
Where to Purchase
Brainiac Kids Applesauce can be purchased on their website here. Brainiac Kids products, including their yogurt, are also available at a store near you.
Giveaway Time
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win two boxes of Brainiac Kids Applesauce, a canvas bag & free Brainiac Kids Yogurt coupons!
Disclosure: I received these samples as a New Hope Network Influencer. All opinions are my own.
This month’s New Hope Blogger Box was pretty amazing. Most of these products were NEXTY finalists or winners, which means they were honored for their innovation, inspiration and integrity. Here is a list of the products that were included, as well as some of my thoughts.
Be Well Nutrition Iconic Protein Drink (Cacao + Greens): D is my taste-tester for protein drinks, and he said this was a good one. He liked the taste and the clean ingredient list.
Brass Roots Grain Free Protein Crunch Puffs: These are an interesting, dense, crunchy snack. I am not sure I have tried “sacha inchi” before, so that was new for me. I did not really like the truffle rosemary flavor, but maybe the other flavors would appeal more to me.
CBDfx Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies: Just a warning, they kind of look like candy, so be cautious if you have kids.
I AM (Aranth) Chipotle & Himalayan Salt Roasted Peanuts: They had a nice kick and crunch.
Jade Leaf Matcha Matcha Latte Infusions
Mediterranean Fields Ratatouille: Looking forward to trying out this shelf-stable product.
Organinfi PURE
Otamot Foods Otamot Organic Essential Sauce:
I was able to partner with Otamot for a full review and giveaway, so check it out here.
Patagonia Provisions Organic Cacao + Mango Bar with banana: This was an interesting flavor combination. I would like to try the other flavors.
Patagonia Provisions Mackerel
Pipsnacks Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Balls:
These Pipcorn cheese balls were one of our favorite finds. They are light and crunchy and delicious. I partnered with Pipcorn for a review and giveaway of their heirloom crackers here.
Solely Fruit Jerky Organic Mango: My kids are huge mango fans, so of course this was a hit.
Sonar Foods Grain Free Organic Tortilla Chips:
If you are trying to go grain-free, these chips are definitely worthy checking out. Loved the hearty texture and the spicy flavor.
teaRIOT Mango RIOT: D gave this a thumbs up. If you are going to have an energy drink, it is better to go natural.
Undercover Chocolate Co. Dark Chocolate + Pomegranate Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Snack: I was excited to see that they came out with a new pomegranate flavor; so good!
Zego Foods MIX-INS Cranberry Seed + Fruit Blend:
I liked the idea of these mix-ins, but it was a little sweet for my taste. I do like how this product is allergen-free.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Today I am sharing another discovery from my New Hope Blogger Box: Otamot Organic Essential Sauce. Our family has pasta, usually with tomato sauce, about once a week. It is definitely one of our staple meals. Therefore, I was excited about trying Otamot (that’s tomato, spelled backwards!) sauce.
I love the story behind the company. A dad wanted his picky daughter to eat more nutrients, so he invented Otamot sauce, which contains vegetables, vitamins, antioxidants and no added sugar.
Otamot sauces come in the following delicious flavors:
Organic Essential Sauce
Spicy Organic Sauce
Organic Carrot Bolognese Sauce
I really like the cheerful distinctive packaging design. Even better is that the wholesome ingredient list is right on the front of the label. Look at all of those organic vegetables! I think most people could benefit from increasing their vegetable intake, and Otamot sauce is a delicious way to do so. Another benefit is that each serving contains 6 grams of dietary fiber.
Otamot Organic Essential Sauce was a hit with my family. I thought it might be a difficult adjustment from other jarred sauces since it does not contain any added sugar. Although the Otamot sauce does have a more savory taste, the carrots, sweet potato and butternut squash add a natural sweetness. We tried the sauce on pasta, but the label also suggests that it can be used for pizza, dips, and soups. I cannot wait to experiment more with the different varieties of Otamot sauces and incorporate more vegetables into our meals.
Where To Purchase
Otamot Essential Sauces can be purchased on their website or at a store near you. I am hopeful that they will be more widely available soon!
Giveaway Time
Enter to win a 4-pack of Otamot sauces by entering the giveaway below:
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Have you heard of Pipsnacks? They are a family company that started out with heirloom popcorn and expanded their line to include cheese balls, corn dippers, and now…heirloom snack crackers! Just like all of their other products, Pipsnacks crackers are made from heirloom corn.
These cheese balls were an immediate hit in our house! It turns out that Pipcorn Crackers were born as a way to use the heirloom corn flour that was leftover from making their cheese balls. Love that idea of sustainable upcycling!
But, back to the crackers. Pipcorn Heirloom Snack Crackers come in three delicious flavors:
Cheddar
Sea Salt
Everything
We really love the thin and crisp texture of these little triangle-shaped crackers. They are a better-for-you snack since they are baked, not fried, and contain zero trans fat. They are non-gmo, gluten-free and do not contain any artificial colors or flavors. Even the box is made from 100% recycled material! These crackers would be a perfect snack to pack for school lunches. However, now that we are doing school at home, they are a great “anytime” snack as well. Are you all snacking a lot more at home like us?
Where to Purchase
Pipsnacks products can be purchased on their website or at a store near you. I was excited to see that they are sold at my local Sprouts and Whole Foods stores.
Giveaway Time
Enter the giveaway below to win a case of Pipcorn Heirloom Snack Crackers!
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Springtime is here, and I recently discovered the perfect snack if you are searching for a bite-size sweet: Wiley Wallaby Organic Bites.
Wiley Wallaby Organic Bites are small licorice candies that have a satisfying soft and chewy texture. They come in four delicious flavors:
Strawberry
Tropical
Mixed Berry
Black Licorice
Wiley Wallaby’s Organic line is unique because it uses organic cane sugar and real fruit juice and does notcontain GMO’s, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial colors and flavors.
I like how the Organic Bites come in a resealable pouch, which makes it easy to share and keeps the candy fresh.
My kids were eager to do a taste test.
They both liked the Strawberry flavor best, but it was a close call!
Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Our spring break officially started today, which also happens to be Pi Day! Since we are not sure how long this “break” will actually last yet (*wink*), I have been trying to think of activities that will keep us from being bored at home.
We recently had the opportunity to try out Kidstir, a subscription cooking kit for kids. We received the March 2020 box and the theme was Pi or “pie”. This box included a Kidstir apron, a “Perfect Pie Cutter” and special pie-themed labels. In addition, the box included colorful recipe pages for:
Fun Day Frittata Pie
Primo Pasta Pie
Chill Out Choco Pie
These pages also include fun factoids and activities for the kids and tips for their adult helpers. The pages are hole-punched and can be put in a binder so that kids can create their own personal cookbook. (An official Kidstir binder is included with a 12 month subscription. The binder shown in these pictures is one that I already had.) I like the idea of kids having a notebook of tried and true recipes. This is something that my mom has already started doing with my kids.
Fun Day Frittata Pie
Our end result looked very much like the photo in recipe, don’t you think?
Although we eat eggs quite often around here, I am not sure we have ever made a frittata before. My son is an eager helper in the kitchen; I hope this continues into adulthood! He had fun chopping the bell pepper and cracking the eggs. Although he is not usually a big fan of bell peppers or tomatoes, he ate them in the frittata because he helped make it. (Isn’t it funny how that works?) We ate this delicious frittata for dinner and had a little bit left over for breakfast the next day. Our family thought this recipe called for a too much salt, but that is part of the recipe-testing process. It shows kids how recipes sometimes need to be adjusted to fit your own personal taste.
Primo Pasta Pie
I would never have thought to make pasta into a “pie”, so this was an especially fun recipe to try. My kids like to watch cooking competition shows and we are always impressed with the presentation. This recipe called for a springform pan, which my son had never used before. I was amazed that one box of cooked rigatoni pasta, stood upright, fit perfectly into the pan! There is also a recipe to make smaller versions in a mug, which is useful if you do not own a springform pan.
Chill Out Choco Pie
Of course, you cannot have a pie theme without a pie for dessert, right? This Chill Out Choco Pie is simple to make, even for younger kids. It is always amazing to watch heavy cream turn into whipped cream simply by incorporating air.
He couldn’t wait to dig in!
How To Subscribe
Kidstir kits can be purchased by month, three month, six month, or twelve month subscriptions here. These kits make a great gift that will inspire kids to cook and keep them busy in the kitchen.
Giveaway Time
One of my readers will win a Kidstir kit, so enter the giveaway below!
